Market Remains Resilient, But Not Strong Enough To Drive Usual Autumn Bounce
The autumn asking price bounce among home sellers was lower in October than usual, according to a leading property website.
Across Britain, the average price of a property coming to the market for sale increased by 0.3% or £1,165 in October to reach £371,422, Rightmove said.
But the rise is below the 10-year average October bounce of 1.1%, as the high number of homes for sale limits sellers’ pricing power, the website added.
October typically sees a seasonal increase in activity and new seller asking prices as the market bounces back from a quieter summer period, but activity has not been strong enough to drive the usual autumn bounce in prices, the report said.
It added that when looking at the year-to-date, market activity remains resilient, albeit cautious in some parts of the market.
Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, said: “Despite the overall resilience of the 2025 housing market, we’ve not got enough pent-up momentum or recent positive sentiment to spur the usual autumn bounce in property prices.
“We’re experiencing a decade-high level of property choice for buyers, which means that sellers who are serious about selling have had to acknowledge their limited pricing power and moderate their price expectations.
“In addition, speculation that the Budget may increase the cost of buying or owning a property at the higher end of the market has given some movers, particularly in the south of England, a reason to wait and see what’s announced in the Budget.”
The subdued 0.3% monthly price rise means that asking prices are 0.1% lower annually, on average. Annual falls in London and the south of England have dragged down the average, Rightmove said, with average asking prices in London down by 1.4% annually.
The higher stamp duty rates that came into effect in England at the start of April continue to impact the more expensive southern regions, the report said.
Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage expert, said: “Average mortgage rates, particularly two-year fixed rates, are still lower than they were a year ago. Combined with flat house prices and improved lending criteria, many home-movers may find their affordability significantly improved compared with last year.”
Rightmove’s map shows asking price changes across Britain (Rightmove)